Event Expected to Draw Nearly 3,000 of World’s Top Real Estate Professionals to the City 

For more information, contact: Trisha Riggs at 202/624-7086

WASHINGTON (December 9, 2013) – The Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global research and education institute dedicated to responsible land use and creating thriving, healthy communities, will hold its 2014 Spring Meeting April 9-11 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, B.C.

The spring event, one of ULI’s two major all-member meetings held each year, is being held for the first time outside of the U.S., reflecting ULI’s international presence and the growing number of members with global business operations. In particular, the Vancouver location for the meeting is indicative of the strong business relations between the city and many markets throughout Asia, where ULI’s membership is growing rapidly.

The Spring Meeting, open only to ULI members, routinely draws nearly 3,000 attendees, including renowned industry experts from around the world sharing insights on all aspects of real estate. A major focus for the 2014 gathering will be building communities that encourage healthy living, and are economically prosperous and environmentally sustainable – all of which are characteristics of Vancouver, noted ULI Chief Executive Officer Patrick L. Phillips. “Vancouver is known for innovative urban design, environmentally conscious development, and a commitment to a high quality of life,” Phillips said. “With this vibrant city as the backdrop, we are anticipating a highly successful event. The substantive, forward-looking programming of the Spring Meeting will enrich the experience for both seasoned industry professionals and those starting their real estate careers.”

The ULI Host Committee, which is charged with maximizing the visibility of the Vancouver metropolitan area real estate market to meeting attendees, is being chaired by ULI British Columbia Chairman Alan Boniface, principal of DIALOG in Vancouver. “We are very excited to be hosting one of ULI’s most prestigious meetings,” Boniface said. “This is a great opportunity to showcase Vancouver’s ample assets to an organization that champions excellence in urban development and community building.”

A prime amenity in the city — The Parks and Waterfront at Southeast False Creek – was selected in November as one of two global winners of ULI’s 2013 Urban Open Space Award competition. The Yards Park, located in Washington, D.C., was also an award recipient. The award recognizes outstanding examples of transformative and vibrant public open space – large and small – that have spurred economic and social regeneration of their adjacent communities. Each winning project is awarded a cash prize to support maintenance and upkeep of the public space. Competition Jury Chairman M. Leanne Lachman, president of Lachman Associates, New York, N.Y., described both parks as offering “inspiring lessons to generate economic well-being and sustainable models of thriving communities worldwide.”

The 2014 Spring Meeting sponsors currently include Bentall Kennedy, DIALOG, Prologis, Allen Matkins, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

About the Urban Land Institute
The Urban Land Institute (uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 30,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.